You probably hear the word empathy a lot. You probably also think it means, "the fact or power of sharing the feelings of another, especially in sorrow or trouble; fellow feeling, compassion, or commiseration." That's actually the definition of sympathy. So what exactly is empathy?
The dictionary defines it as: "the psychological identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another." In other words, empathy is walking a mile in another's shoes, or trying to understand the feelings and perspectives of an individual. It isn't pity or kindness, and it certainly isn't treating someone as you would like to be treated. "Do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you -- they might have different tastes," says George Bernard Shaw. Figuring out what those tastes are is empathy.
So what does empathy have to do with entrepreneurs? And especially women entrepreneurs? People want to build loyalty and relationships with brands. By knowing your ideal customer and understanding how to attract them -- in other words, empathizing with their experience--you open the door to developing a great relationship. With this relationship comes success, and when you understand your target customer, you can fine-tune your brand experience to better meet their specific needs and wants. Women entrepreneurs may have a leg up on their male counterparts when it comes to being empathetic, because when the going gets tough, the tough women get going.
So let's take a look at seven habits that women entrepreneurs can cultivate for success:
Talk to people
Talk to people, not just your customers, but those you meet who may be interested in your product and brand. Find out what holds them back. Try to have one conversation with a different person every day, and go beyond just "how are you?" Get to know something about them.
Listen
Be willing to actively listen to your customers and employees, according to InMoment. Make yourself vulnerable, which isn't easy as a leader, but it's vital to understanding your customer as a person. When you think of clients and customers as just a revenue source, it won't meet them where they are.
Sharpen your communication skills
Practice your verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Find people who you think empathize well, and ask them to help you understand how tone of voice and nonverbal cues affect with others. Realize that empathy also means knowing when someone doesn't want to interact with you.
Share experiences
Walk in someone else's shoes. It sounds cliché, but it's so true. If you want to understand someone, you need to know what their life is like.
Make people #1
Prioritize people in your organization. Business success is often measured in profitability, but how does a business become profitable? It's the people, both your customers and staff. When you empathize with those in your company, you retain top talent and customers. Spending money to replace and train personnel hurts your bottom line. It costs more to gain new customers than to retain those you have.
Cater to your customer
Being empathetic to your customers lets you create the brand experience they need. By knowing what your typical customer wants out of their brand experience, you can tailor your website, social media posts, marketing campaigns, or store to meet their needs. For example, Swap.com (an online consignment store for families) has developed a blog that meets the interests and needs of their customers, with posts about recipes and child safety.
Develop an ambitious imagination
When you embark on walking in someone else's shoes, try walking in the shoes of someone you don't agree with. The experience might surprise you.